We have had wonderful experiences and met many gifted people since arriving in Ecuador — getting our bearings when we first arrived in the rain forest town of Shell, then applying for visas and learning to know our sisters and brothers at the Quito Mennonite Church and MCC Refugee Project in the capital city, and finally relocating to our new home in the Tena area.
The photos below provide a glimpse of where we have been and with whom we have worked over the past two months.
Gatherd with teachers at Dos Rios Church near Tena
The church hosts a Compassion International after-school program for neighborhood children
“Let the children come to me … for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14)
Touring the church grounds with Josue (left) and the program director, Dorian (center)
Dorian describes the work he does with the children
Making our way across a muddy spot
Cacao, the key ingredient in chocolate, is planted and cared for by a group of women from the congregation. The cacao is sold to help cover church expenses
Crossing a bridge
The Hola Vida Waterfall
Quito Mennonite Church
From left: David Shenk and Caleb Yoder (Mennonite Mission Network workers) and Luis Tapia (pastor of Quito Mennonite Church)
Gathered for dinner with leaders of the newly-formed Iglesia Cristiana Anabautista Menonita de Ecuador (Mennonite Anabaptist Christian Church of Ecuador)
With Jennifer Rey, psychologist for the MCC Refugee Project
With Alba (center) and Jirenny (right) of the MCC Refugee Project
With David Shenk (MMN) and Tibrine (MCC Refugee Project)
With Rosa, gardener and caretaker of the FEINE headquarters
At the new park created on the old airport site in Quito
Moving into our new home in Tena
The house is on a hill
The hill is at the center of a cacao farm
Cacao
The front door
The kitchen
Seated at the kitchen table
Baskets woven by Waorani women
One of the bedrooms
At work upstairs
View of the farm
View of the forest
Our move into our new home coincided with the anniversary of Napo Province
A parade was held to honor Napo
Indigenous people had a strong presence at the parade
Native heritage
A game of Ecua-volley, a distinct variation of volleyball only played in this country
A hanging bridge
Forest
Back at home
An outdoor kitchen
Palm
View of the Andes
Washing yuca, a common staple crop in the rain forest
With the farm dogs, Cambi and Zeus
With Zeus
Sierra at a 5k race with the second-place finisher, an indigenous Kichwa woman who ran barefoot
At the new university in Tena — IKIAM means “forest” in the Shuar language
Evening light
Day’s end
Thank you for sharing these photos! I was intrigued by the ladders/steps that go up to your home on the hill. Do these steps hold up in the rain? Your family is listed on the Mennonite Mission Network Prayer vine, today, April 1 : ) No Fooling – we are praying for each of you and your relationship building with the many people you are meeting. Blessings to you! Karla Minter
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